Informal Awards Contribute to Higher Wikipedia Participation
Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 17:00
in Psychology & Sociology
When Stony Brook University Sociology Professor Arnout van de Rijt and graduate student Michael Restivo decided to find out what makes Wikipedia work, they knew they faced quite a challenge. After all, neither monetary compensation nor formal work relations explain the success of this all-volunteer online encyclopedia. The team reasoned that expressions of appreciation by other Wikipedia contributors, including awards, helped to fuel what they called a "spirit of generosity."